Dracaena plant named “2004027J”

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Dracaena fragrans  cultivar named ‘2004027J’ is disclosed, characterized by broad, short foliage, of a dark green color, and yellow margin. The new variety is a  Dracaena,  and is normally used as an indoor ornamental plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Dracaena fragrans.

Variety denomination: ‘2004027J’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar was discovered as a chance, single stem mutation in a commercial nursery in Honselersdijk, The Netherlands. The inventor, Ruud Scheffers, a citizen of The Netherlands, discovered the new variety as a single stem mutation occurring on plants of the patented commercial variety, Dracaena fragrans ‘Lemon Surprise’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,654. The new variety was discovered during the Spring of 2002 by the inventor.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘2004027J’ by vegetative cuttings was first performed at a commercial nursery in Honselersdijk, The Netherlands, during the Summer of 2002. The inventor has tested reproduction of the new variety extensively for the purposes of stability. Many generations have been reproduced, and have shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type through successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘2004027J’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘2004027J.’ These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘2004027J’ as a new and distinct Dracaena fragrans cultivar:

-   -   1. Broad, short foliage.     -   2. Dark green foliage color with yellow margin.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘2004027J’ are similar to plants of the parent variety Dracaena fragrans ‘Lemon Surprise’ in most horticultural characteristics. However, plants of the new cultivar ‘2004027J’ produce shorter, wider leaves with a different color pattern. Additionally, plants of the new variety are less compact than ‘Lemon Surprise’.

The parent variety is also the most similar commercial comparisons to the new cultivar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘2004027J’ grown in a greenhouse. The pot size is a commercial 20 cm container, approximately. The plant shown is approximately 1 year old. The photograph was taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘2004027J’ plants grown in a commercial greenhouse in Honselersdijk, The Netherlands. The growing temperature ranged from approximately 20 to 21° C. at night and 20 to 22° C. during the day. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical flowering types. No chemical or photoperiodic treatments were given.

-   Botanical classification: Dracaena fragrans ‘2004027J.’

PROPAGATION

-   Time to rooting: About 3 weeks at approximately 20 to 22° C. -   Root description: Small, fleshy, free-branching roots.

PLANT

-   Age of plant described: Approximately 1 year. -   Pot size of plant described: Approximately 20 cm. -   Growth habit: Upright, tender perennial, suitable for indoor     ornamental use. -   Height: Approximately 22.4 cm. -   Plant spread: Approximately 37.8 cm. -   Growth rate: Moderate. Approximately 8 cm per month. -   Branching characteristics: One main stem, otherwise, infrequent     basally branching. -   Diameter of stem: Approximately 4 cm. -   Internode length: Average 1.1 cm. -   Texture of stems: Rounded, smooth, matte. -   Color of stems: Near RHS Green 145B. -   Stem strength: Very strong. -   Number of leaves per stem: Average 14.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate, spiraling.         -   Average length.—Approximately 23.6 cm.         -   Average width.—Approximately 5.9 cm.         -   Shape of blade.—Lorate.         -   Aspect.—Arching.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Sheathing.         -   Attachment.—Sessile.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture of top surface.—Smooth, glossy, leathery.             Irregularly ribbed.         -   Texture of bottom surface.—Smooth, glossy, leathery.         -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green N137C,             Yellow-Green 144A towards the base, margins yellow-green             150B, average width of marginal coloration: 2 mm. Young             foliage under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 146A, lighter             towards the base, base coloration near 144C, margins             Yellow-Green 150B, average width of marginal coloration:             2 mm. Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 139A but             darker, margins Yellow-Green 144B, average width of marginal             coloration: 2 mm. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS             Yellow-Green 146A but slightly darker, margins Yellow-Green             144B, average width of marginal coloration: 2 mm.         -   Venation.—Type: Parallel. Color: Indistinguishable from leaf             blade color. -   Petiole: No petioles, sessile.

FLOWER

-   Flowering not observed to date.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Disease resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to     diseases or pests normal to Dracaena has been observed in this     variety. -   Drought tolerance and temperature tolerance: Tender perennial, low     temperature damage occurs near 5° C. Tolerates high temperature to     at least 35° C. No drought tolerance has been observed. -   Fruit/seed production: Fruits and seeds have not been observed. 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Dracaena plant named ‘2004027J’ as herein illustrated and described. 